Greek operator: seafarer killed after projectile hits tanker Velos Sapphire in the Gulf

Greek operator Velos Tankers confirmed Friday that one seafarer was killed when the Marshall Islands-flagged product tanker Velos Sapphire was struck by an unidentified projectile in the Middle East Gulf on Nov. 5, according to reports citing the company's statement.

The unladen tanker was bound for Sitra, Bahrain, when a projectile struck the port aft section, triggering an explosion and fire. The crew extinguished the blaze; remaining crew members were unharmed. On instructions from authorities the ship proceeded to Khalifa Bin Salman Port in Bahrain for investigation. The origin of the projectile remains under investigation.

Separately on Friday, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency said a tanker outbound through the Strait of Hormuz reported an explosion at the port-side waterline about 16 nautical miles east of Khasab, Oman — that crew was safe and the vessel continued under its own power — underscoring expanding risk to shipping beyond a single chokepoint.